Port Angeles’ Jerry Robison (left) and Gerald Rettela won gold medals recently at the Washington State Senior Games in Olympia. Robinson won the age 70 to 74 age group, while Rettela claimed the 80 to 84 division.
Port Angeles’ Jerry Robison, left, and Gerald Rettela won gold medals recently at the Washington State Senior Games in Olympia. Robinson won the age 70 to 74 age group, while Rettela claimed the 80 to 84 division.

AREA SPORTS BRIEFS: PA duo wins gold at senior games; PA’s Gracie Long takes second in steeplechase at national meet

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Port Angeles’ Gracie Long placed second in the women’s 2000-meter steeplechase at the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships.

Long, who won the 2A state championship in the 1,600 meters running for Port Angeles High School in May, finished with a time of 7 minutes, 25.09 seconds. She was running unattached after qualifying at the USA Track and Field regionals in June. Only three runners out of 24 cracked 7:30 in the women’s 17-18 division race.

Long also placed fifth in the women’s 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:56.51. However, much as she did at the state track championships, she showed a big kick on the final lap, going from ninth to fifth in the final 300 meters.

The USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Track and Field championships were held July 23-29 at North Carolian A&T University.

Long will be running track and field and cross country for Corban University in Salem, Ore., beginning this fall.

PORT TOWNSEND — The Olympic Discovery Trail Blaze Ball and Auction Fundraiser will be held Saturday at Memorial Field, 550 Washington St.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and music will be provided by the Freddy Pink Band.

The event also will include gourmet food trucks, vendor booths and trail outfitters.

A silent auction also will be held.

Tickets are $20 and available in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3521595.

The event is put on by the Peninsula Trails Coalition with proceeds benefitting the Olympic Discovery Trail.

VanDeBrake honored

PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles Lefties outfielder Justin VanDeBrake and Portland Pickles pitcher Michael Frias have been named the West Coast League’s Player and Pitcher of the Week for July 23-29.

VanDeBrake went 14 for 25 with seven runs, two stolen bases, two doubles, a home run and three RBIs for the Lefties. For the summer, VanDeBrake is hitting .325 with six doubles and seven stolen bases.

VanDeBrake hit .369 with 10 doubles, 12 stolen bases, four homers and 30 RBIs as a freshman at Tacoma Community College this spring, earning first-team all-NWAC West Region honors.

Frias tossed a combined eight innings of scoreless baseball against playoff contender Corvallis and post-season bound Bellingham; both four-inning stints. He earned a win in relief against the Bells and allowed four hits and walked three while striking out nine for the week.

For the summer, Frias is 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA and has logged 23.2 innings while walking five and striking out 28.

Football officials

PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic Football Officials Association will hold its first meeting of the season Monday at 7 p.m. at the Vern Burton Center meeting rooms, 308 E. Fourth St.

All current members should plan to attend as well as anyone interested in becoming a high school football official.

A clinic on new rules for the 2018 will be held plus a discussion on mechanics’ changes and planning for future meetings and training sessions.

For more information, phone association assigner Mike Wilson at 360-808-3076.

Peninsula Daily News

Port Angeles’ Gracie Long, here competing in the Washington State 2A championships in May, came in second in the steeplechase in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships held last week in Greensboro, N.C. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)